Summary of Glasgow workshop (21st March 2019 at South Block, Glasgow)
This was the first meeting of the workshop series and so combined activities that allowed us to explore why each participant had an interest in contemporary archaeology, and also set the agenda to an extent for the content of the further three workshops. It was a busy, stimulating, and successful day and set the tone for the remainder of the workshop series including allowing participants to make key connections with new people. The vibrant discussion and collaborative activities made it clear that there was a strong and creative group dynamic. It was a great chance to bring together archaeologists from a range of different sectors and career stage, but also artists were invited too and participated, stimulating discussion, learning from archaeologists as we learned from them.
The conclusion at the end of the day was that bringing an archaeological sensibility to the contemporary was both relevant and urgent.
Aims
- Getting to know one another and introducing the RSE workshop series
- Flesh out the themes for coverage at the other three workshops
- Carry out a series of collaborative activities inside and outdoors
The following activities were carried out during a busy day:
Morning
Introductions to each other and the project led by Alex Hale
What does contemporary archaeology mean to us? Each participant was asked in advance to upload three images to a slack page. Each talked through these images as they were shown via data projector.
The rules of the room (Birthe Jorgensen). Participants were challenged to explore the space we were in, after being split into groups. This was an exercise in looking at the familiar, and documenting the space. This involved discussion, sketches, pacing and measuring distances, looking behind panels, following pipes and so on. Contemporary archaeology is about having a fresh look at the present so this exercise got us into the correct frame of mind.
Breakout groups on workshop series themes. We were asked to problematise the proposed themes for workshops 2-4 with each theme chaired by a facilitator. The groups moved between the three tables. On each table was an OS map that we were encouraged to write on with markers, note taking as a subversive act. These notes and the discussion that followed set the agenda for the next three workshops.
- Entanglements across art-archaeology, with Gavin MacGregor
- Archaeology of identity and politics in Brexit Scotland, with Kenny Brophy
- Landscapes of energy, landscapes of (in)coherence, with Dan Lee
Lunch break
Walk and talk. In the afternoon, after reconvening and splitting into groups, the participants took part in a walking tour in the centre of Glasgow, each with a different leader and theme. Before the walk each group was briefed and encouraged to think innovatively about how the ‘walkshop’ might be documented.
Walks were led by Kenny Brophy (Ancient Glasgow in the city centre), Maya Hoole (student accommodation viewing), Cara Jones (graffiti and murals).
Participants
Alex Hale, Kenny Brophy, Gavin MacGregor, Cara Jones, Maya Hoole, Erin Jamieson, Eddie Stewart, Lizzie Robertson, Rowan Harris, Jeff Sanders, Dan Lee, Birth Jorgensen, Sue Brind, Stuart Jeffrey, Paul Murtagh, Rebecca Madgin, Jenny Brownrigg, Neil Gregory, Jeff Sanders and Jim Harold.
